Iona Breakwater, Slipway and Toilet Block Works

Update 22/06/2026

Details can be seen in the photos and notes below but progress since the last update (27/03/2026) is outlined here:

Breakwater

Marine operations remobilised on 25 April 2026 following prolonged poor weather.
Toe trench excavation completed (26 April – 18 May).
Rock armour deliveries from Glensanda Quarry resumed, with:
- ~5,600 tonnes of primary armour
- ~4,000 tonnes of core material delivered in the month
Geotextile installation commenced and progressing.
First aid to navigation section installed at seabed / through breakwater.
Total rock delivered to date: 55,267 tonnes.
On programme with the aim of completing these Works before winter 2026/27.

Slipway

The sub-contractor is programmed to correct defects to the repair work during June / July.

Toilet Block

Opened to the public on 5 May 2026.
Minor defects identified with close-out expected during June / July.
Takeover from the Contractor is pending final defects correction and documentation submission.
Finishing works to the area surrounding the toilet block will be completed following the full installation of the Breakwater.

Public Event for the Fionnphort Breakwater and overnight berthing facility

In accordance with Marine Directorate a Pre Application Consultation (PAC) was undertaken at Fionnphort on 21st May, and at Iona on the 22nd May.

Licences and consents

Planning Consent- complete 23/01793/PP | Construction of breakwater, demolition of existing toilet block, erection of replacement toilet block and installation of septic tank | Land South Of Iona Slipway Isle Of Iona Argyll And Bute
Marine License – Rock Armour Breakwater – complete Marine Licence - Rock Armour Breakwater - Iona Ferry Terminal, Isle of Iona - 00010432 | marine.gov.scot
00010977 Basking Shark Licence: Basking Shark Licence - Construction of Breakwater and Dredging - Iona Ferry Terminal - 00010977 | marine.gov.scot
00010978 European Protected Species Licence: European Protected Species Licence - Construction of Breakwater and Dredging - Iona Ferry Terminal - 00010978 | marine.gov.scot
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – complete (and ongoing where appropriate*).
A License to Occupy and the long term lease of land owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is on-going.

Associated Matters

*Associated with the EIA is a Seagrass Mitigation and Monitoring Plan which was approved by the Marine Directorate in July 2025.
A specialist third party is undertaking Environmental monitoring and reporting throughout the construction period as required.

In order for the Council to address the conditions within the above licenses the Council set up regular meetings with Marine Directorate, Nature Scot and Environmental and Seagrass specialists.

Works complete to date

Slipway site mobilisation and set-up
Slipway repairs
Toilet block site mobilisation and set-up
Toilet block demolition, construction of new block, connection to utilities, installation of Mechanical and Electrical components. Open to public May 2026.
Breakwater site mobilisation and set-up
Breakwater deliveries and placement of 1-3 tonne sized core rock, and 6-10 tonne primary rock by barge. Approximately 73% complete with total 53,200 tonnes delivered and placed.
Seabed foundation and first section of Aid to Navigation mounting within the breakwater.

Works in progress

Toilet block minor defects correction.
Slipway Repairs defects correction.
Breakwater rock armour continuing delivery and placement.
Aid to Navigation foundation and mounting through breakwater.

Works required before completion

Completion of rock armour core placement, and continuing placement of ‘external’ primary rock armour to breakwater.
Construction of access steps detail for Aid to Navigation light
Tie in of breakwater to land levels
Mechanical and electrical elements of breakwater (Aid to Navigation light)
Dredging activity.
Replacement of existing handrails, bollard and ducting of existing electrical cables on the ferry slipway.
Make good any surfaces used during the Works / site compound occupation.
Site demobilisation for slipway, toilet block and breakwater elements.

Photos